Cylindrical piston assisted blending vessel

ABSTRACT

A container/transport system for a viscous material includes a container for the viscous material and a transport conduit for transporting the viscous material. The container includes an outer rigid wall; an inner flexible bladder, the inner flexible bladder containing a viscous material; and a conduit connected to the inner flexible bladder to introduce a fluid into the inner flexible bladder. The transport conduit includes an outer rigid wall, an inner flexible bladder, a volume between the outer rigid wall and the inner flexible bladder containing a viscous material, and a conduit connected to the inner flexible bladder to introduce a fluid into the inner flexible bladder. A valve controls a flow of fluid from a fluid source to either the inner flexible bladder of the container or the inner flexible bladder of the transport conduit.

PRIORITY INFORMATION

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 61/301,348, filed on Feb. 4, 2010. The entirecontent of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/301,348,filed on Feb. 4, 2010, is hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention is directed to a system for providing viscousingredients to a device for subsequent blending and dispensing as amixture. More particularly, the present invention is directed to adouble-walled container and a double-walled transportation conduit whichutilizes applied pressure to evacuate the double-walled container andthe double-walled transportation conduit so as to provide viscousingredients to a device for subsequent blending and dispensing as amixture.

BACKGROUND ART

Conventional systems, which provide viscous ingredients to a device forsubsequent blending and dispensing as a mixture, utilize flexiblepackaging for containing the viscous ingredients and tubing with anassociated pump to move the viscous ingredient in the container to theappropriate location for blending and dispensing.

One problem with these conventional systems is that the pumps requireroutine cleaning to avoid contamination from other ingredients and toprevent the growth of harmful bacteria.

Therefore, it is desirable to provide a container and/or transportationsystem that can easily move the viscous ingredient in the container tothe appropriate location for blending and dispensing.

In addition, it is desirable to provide a disposable container and/ortransportation system that can easily move the viscous ingredient in thecontainer to the appropriate location for blending and dispensing andwhich does not require cleaning.

Moreover, it is desirable to provide a disposable container and/ortransportation system that can easily move the viscous ingredient in thecontainer to the appropriate location for blending and dispensing andwhich inhibits the growth of harmful bacteria.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The drawings are only for purposes of illustrating various embodimentsand are not to be construed as limiting, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a blending system;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the blending system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates the blending system inputting ice into the blendingmechanism;

FIG. 4 illustrates the blending system inputting other ingredients intothe blending mechanism;

FIG. 5 illustrates the blending system blending the ice and otheringredients in the blending mechanism;

FIG. 6 illustrates the blending system dispensing the blended ice andother ingredients from the blending mechanism;

FIG. 7 illustrates the blending system utilizing a clean in placeprocess for cleaning the blending mechanism;

FIG. 8 illustrates another example of a blending system utilizing aclean in place process for cleaning the blending mechanism;

FIG. 9 is a front view of another blending system;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the blending and clean in place process;

FIG. 11 illustrates another blending system utilizing a clean in placeprocess for cleaning the blending mechanism;

FIG. 12 illustrates another blending system utilizing a clean in placeprocess for cleaning the blending mechanism;

FIG. 13 illustrates another blending system;

FIG. 14 illustrates a weighing sensing unit for the blending system;

FIG. 15 illustrates a front view of another blending chamber for ablending system;

FIG. 16 shows a side view of the blending chamber of FIG. 15.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

For a general understanding, reference is made to the drawings. In thedrawings, like references have been used throughout to designateidentical or equivalent elements. It is also noted that the drawings maynot have been drawn to scale and that certain regions may have beenpurposely drawn disproportionately so that the features and conceptscould be properly illustrated.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, a blending system includes a blending chamber10 that receives the ingredients to be blended. The blending system alsoincludes a blending mechanism 50 that includes blades for blending and amotor to drive the blades.

The blending chamber 10 has, therein, a piston/plunger 20 that can movefrom one end of the blending chamber 10 to the other end. The piston orplunger 20 is driven by a shaft 30. The shaft 30 may be hollow to allowthe introduction of ingredients or a cleaning fluid, such as water intothe blending chamber 10. In the illustration of FIG. 1, the shaft 30 ishollow to enable the introduction of a cleaning fluid, such as waterinto the blending chamber 10. The cleaning fluid is introduced throughfluid channel 40.

The blended ingredients are dispensed from the blending chamber 10through dispenser 60.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, a blending system includes a blending chamber10 that receives the ingredients to be blended. The blending system alsoincludes a blending mechanism 50 that includes blades for blending and amotor to drive the blades.

The blending chamber 10 has, therein, a piston/plunger 20 that can movefrom one end of the blending chamber 10 to the other end. Thepiston/plunger 20 is driven by a shaft 30. The shaft 30 may be hollow toallow the introduction of ingredients or a cleaning fluid, such as waterinto the blending chamber 10. In the illustration of FIG. 2, the shaft30 is hollow to enable the introduction of a cleaning fluid, such aswater into the blending chamber 10. The cleaning fluid is introducedthrough fluid channel 40 and channel 70.

The shaft 30 and the piston/plunger 20 are driven by motor 200. Motor200 is controlled by control/power unit 100 through electricalconnection 110.

Control/power unit 100 also controls the speed and/or state of operation(ON/OFF) of the blending mechanism 50 through electrical connection 105.An exit drain 701 is included to dispose of any waste as well as anycleaning liquids.

It is noted that the blending mechanism 50 may include a weight sensoror weight sensing unit to measure the weight of the ingredients beingintroduced into the blending chamber 10. This weight sensor or weightsensing unit can provide the appropriate measurement data to thecontrol/power unit 100 so that the ingredients can be properly metered.

In this example, the weight sensing unit may calibrate the tare weightof only the bottom floor of the blending chamber 10 because the floorwould float upon the weight sensing unit and the remaining portion ofthe blending chamber 10 would be fixed to the blending system.

FIG. 14 illustrates an example of the weight sensing unit. Asillustrated in FIG. 14, the blending mechanism 50 includes weightsensors 51 which measures the weight of the bottom floor 13 of theblending chamber 10, the blending assembly (including blending or mixingblades 53), and the weight of the ingredients (represented by thearrows) within the blending chamber 10.

In this example, to determine a tare weight or calibration weight, theweight sensing unit only needs to measure the weight of the bottom floor13 of the blending chamber 10 and the blending assembly (includingblending or mixing blades 53) because the sides (11 and 12) of theblending chamber 10 are not positioned upon the weighing platform,namely the bottom floor 13 of the blending chamber 10.

Since the bottom floor 13 of the blending chamber 10 and the blendingassembly (including blending or mixing blades 53) are not removed todispense the mixture from the blending chamber 10, the tare weight orcalibration weight does not need to be determined in a frequent manneror after each dispensing as in a system that utilizes pitchers todispense the mixture.

It is noted that the bottom floor 13 of the blending chamber 10 and theblending assembly (including blending or mixing blades 53) can beremoved for detail cleaning at breakdown of the blending system;however, since the blending system has only a single bottom floor 13 ofthe blending chamber 10 with blending assembly (including blending ormixing blades 53), the tare weight or calibration weight does not needto be determined after a breakdown cleaning.

It is further noted that the FIG. 14 illustrates a rotating drivemechanism 52 that provides the rotation of the blending assembly(including blending or mixing blades 53). The rotating drive mechanism52 engages the blending assembly (including blending or mixing blades53) and the bottom floor 13 of the blending chamber 10 so as not toimpact the weight measurement.

It is further noted that the weight sensors may be located at otherlocations beneath the bottom floor 13 of the blending chamber 10 and theblending assembly (including blending or mixing blades 53).

Alternatively, it is noted that the sides (11 and 12) of the blendingchamber 10 may be positioned upon the weighing platform, namely thebottom floor 13 of the blending chamber 10, and thus, the sides (11 and12) of the blending chamber 10 may be incorporated in the tare weight orcalibration weight determination. However, the tare weight orcalibration weight does not need to be determined in a frequent manneror after each dispensing as in a system that utilizes pitchers todispense the mixture because the sides (11 and 12) of the blendingchamber 10 or the blending chamber 10 are not removed to dispense themixture from the blending chamber 10.

It is noted that the sides (11 and 12) of the blending chamber 10 can beremoved for detail cleaning at breakdown of the blending system;however, since the blending system has only the sides (11 and 12) of theblending chamber 10, the tare weight or calibration weight does not needto be determined after a breakdown cleaning.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 2, the blending system includes anice bin 400 for storing ice. Moreover, the blending system includes aningredient bin 300 for storing the blending ingredient(s). The ice andingredient(s) are transported to the receiving opening 80 of theblending chamber 10, through conduit 90 and conduit 95, respectively.

It is noted that the ingredient bin 300 may be compartmentalized tostore multiple ingredients. In addition, it is noted that the bin 400may store ice cream, soft serve ice cream, or other frozen products thatare utilized in making a frozen drink or frozen food item.

The blended ingredients are dispensed from the blending chamber 10through dispenser 60 into a consumer container 575 which rests uponconsumer container holding platform 550. It is noted that consumercontainer holding platform 550 may contain a drain (not shown) tocapture any waste or overflow from the dispensing process.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the blending chamber 10 of the blending systemreceives ice 401 from ice bin 400. In FIG. 4, the blending chamber 10 ofthe blending system receives blending ingredient(s) 301 from ingredientbin 300. The blending system also includes a blending mechanism 50 thatincludes blades for blending and a motor to drive the blades.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the piston/plunger 20 engages the ice 401 andthe blending ingredients 301. During this engagement of thepiston/plunger 20, the control/power unit 100 starts the blendingprocess by turning ON the blending mechanism 50. The piston/plunger 20keeps the ice 401 and the blending ingredients 301 in close engagementwith the blades of the blending mechanism 50 so as to reduce theblending time and to prevent or decrease cavitation.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the piston/plunger 20 travels further towardsthe blending mechanism 50 engaging the blended ice 401 and blendingingredients 301. During this cycle, the dispenser 60 opens to allow theevacuation of the blended mixture 501 into a consumer container 575which rests upon consumer container holding platform 550. The openingand closing of the dispenser 60 may be controlled by control/power unit100 or may be manually controlled.

It is noted that the blending mechanism 50 may continue to rotate theblades during dispensing to assist in the evacuation of the blendedmixture 501.

After evacuation, as illustrated in FIG. 7, a clean in place processstarts wherein the piston/plunger 20 travels away from the blendingmechanism 50 and a cleaning fluid 601, such as water, enters theblending chamber 10. The blending mechanism 50 is turned ON to cause anagitation of the cleaning fluid 601 so as to clean the blending chamber10 and the blades of the blending mechanism 50. It is noted that thecleaning fluid 601 may also be introduced into the receiving opening 80to clean this chamber.

Upon finishing the cleaning in place cycle, the cleaning fluid isdischarged from the blending chamber 10 and out of the blending systemby exit drain or discharge conduit 701. It is noted that thepiston/plunger 20 may also travel towards the blending mechanism 50during the agitation of the cleaning fluid 601 so as to clean thepiston/plunger 20, as well as, to assist in evacuating the cleaningfluid 601 from the blending chamber 10.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, the consumer container holding platform 550shifts outwardly so that a back portion of the consumer containerholding platform 550 is positioned under the dispenser 60. The cleaningfluid is discharged through the dispenser 60 and into an opening (notshown) in the back portion which enables the discharged cleaning fluidto be directed to the exit drain or discharge conduit 701.

The consumer container holding platform 550 may be positively biased tothe position illustrated in FIG. 7 so that when the consumer container575 is removed, the consumer container holding platform 550automatically shifts outwardly.

It is noted that the consumer container holding platform 550 may benormally in the position illustrated in FIG. 6 so that when the consumercontainer 575 is removed, a sensor may sense the absence of the consumercontainer 575, which causes the consumer container holding platform 550to be driven outwardly.

In another embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the receiving opening80 is replaced with direct connection of the ice bin 400 and theblending ingredient(s) bin 300 to the blending chamber 10. This directconnection may be facilitated by valves 92 and 97. These valves may beone way valves. These valves may also be controlled by the control/powerunit 100 so that the ice and/or ingredients can be metered into theblending chamber 10.

It is noted that the blending chamber 10 may be removable to facilitatea more through cleaning on a daily basis, for example.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, the consumer container holding platform 550shifts outwardly so that a back portion of the consumer containerholding platform 550 is positioned under the dispenser 60. The cleaningfluid is discharged through the dispenser 60 and into an opening (notshown) in the back portion which enables the discharged cleaning fluidto be directed to the exit drain or discharge conduit 701.

The consumer container holding platform 550 may be positively biased tothe position illustrated in FIG. 8 so that when the consumer container575 is removed, the consumer container holding platform 550automatically shifts outwardly.

It is noted that the consumer container holding platform 550 may benormally in the position illustrated in FIG. 6 so that when the consumercontainer 575 is removed, a sensor may sense the absence of the consumercontainer 575, which causes the consumer container holding platform 550to be driven outwardly.

FIG. 9 shows a front view of a blending system 1 which includes twoblending chambers 10 that receives the ingredients to be blended throughreceiving openings 1000. The receiving openings 1000 can be located inthe back to receive items blending ingredients stored within theblending system 1. In addition, the receiving openings 1000 can belocated in the front of the blending system 1 to receive blendingingredients introduced directly by the user or operator.

The blending system also includes a blending mechanism 50 that includesblades for blending and a motor to drive the blades.

Each blending chamber 10 has, therein, a piston/plunger 20 that can movefrom one end of the blending chamber 10 to the other end. Eachpiston/plunger 20 is driven by a shaft 30. The shaft 30 may be hollow toallow the introduction of ingredients or a cleaning fluid, such as waterinto the blending chamber 10.

In the illustration of FIG. 8, a user interface panel 800 is included toallow the user to program the blending system 1 to create differentblended mixtures.

The shaft 30 and the piston/plunger 20 are driven by motor 200. Motor200 is controlled by control/power unit 100 through electricalconnection 110.

The blended ingredients are dispensed from the blending chamber 10through dispenser 60.

FIG. 10 illustrates a flowchart of the blending and clean in placeprocess utilized by the blending systems described above.

As illustrated in FIG. 10, at step S10, the blending ingredients areintroduced into the blending chamber. At step S20, the piston/plunger islowered into position to place some pressure upon the blendingingredients in the blending chamber.

At step S30, the piston/plunger engages the blending ingredients inconjunction with the starting of the blending process performed by theblades of a blending mechanism. The piston/plunger engages the blendingingredients, during the blending process, so as to reduce the blendingtime and to prevent or decrease cavitation.

At step S40, the piston/plunger further engages the blended ingredients,and a dispenser is opened to allow the evacuation of the blended mixtureinto a container.

As noted above, the blending process is maintained while furtherlowering the piston/plunger to assist in dispensing the blendedingredients. The piston/plunger may be lowered until the piston/plungerreaches the bottom of the blending chamber. Thereafter, when the shaftis hollow and an air valve is utilized with the piston/plunger, the airvalve is opened and the piston/plunger is raised a short distance. Theair valve is then closed and the piston/plunger is lowered, which causesa positive air pressure between the piston/plunger and the top surfaceof the remaining blended ingredients. The positive air pressure causesthe last of the blended ingredients to be evacuated into a container,thereby significantly reducing or substantially eliminating waste.

At step S50, a clean in place process starts wherein the piston/plungertravels away from the blending mechanism and a cleaning fluid, such aswater, enters the blending chamber. The blending mechanism is turned ONto cause an agitation of the cleaning fluid so as to clean the blendingchamber and the blades of the blending mechanism.

At step S60, upon finishing the cleaning in place cycle, the cleaningfluid is discharged from the blending chamber and out of the blendingsystem by a discharge conduit. It is noted that the piston/plunger mayalso travel towards the blending mechanism during the agitation of thecleaning fluid so as to clean the piston/plunger, as well as, to assistin evacuating the cleaning fluid from the blending chamber.

Alternatively, after evacuation, as illustrated in FIG. 11, a clean inplace process starts wherein the piston/plunger 20 travels away from theblending mechanism 50 and a cleaning fluid 601, such as water, entersthe blending chamber 10. The blending mechanism 50 is turned ON to causean agitation of the cleaning fluid 601 so as to clean the blendingchamber 10 and the blades of the blending mechanism 50. It is noted thatthe cleaning fluid 601 may also be introduced into the receiving opening80 to clean this chamber.

Upon finishing the cleaning in place cycle, the cleaning fluid isdischarged from the blending chamber 10 and out of the blending systemby exit drain or discharge conduit 701. It is noted that thepiston/plunger 20 may also travel towards the blending mechanism 50during the agitation of the cleaning fluid 601 so as to clean thepiston/plunger 20, as well as, to assist in evacuating the cleaningfluid 601 from the blending chamber 10.

As illustrated in FIG. 11, the consumer container holding platform 550does not shift. The cleaning fluid is discharged through the dispenser60 and into an opening (not shown) in consumer container holdingplatform 550 which enables the discharged cleaning fluid to be directedto the exit drain or discharge conduit 701.

In another alternative, after evacuation, as illustrated in FIG. 12, aclean in place process starts wherein the piston/plunger 20 travels awayfrom the blending mechanism 50 and a cleaning fluid 601, such as water,enters the blending chamber 10. The blending mechanism 50 is turned ONto cause an agitation of the cleaning fluid 601 so as to clean theblending chamber 10 and the blades of the blending mechanism 50. It isnoted that the cleaning fluid 601 may also be introduced into thereceiving opening 80 to clean this chamber.

Upon finishing the cleaning in place cycle, the cleaning fluid isdischarged from the blending chamber 10 and out of the blending systemby exit drain or discharge conduit 701. It is noted that thepiston/plunger 20 may also travel towards the blending mechanism 50during the agitation of the cleaning fluid 601 so as to clean thepiston/plunger 20, as well as, to assist in evacuating the cleaningfluid 601 from the blending chamber 10.

As illustrated in FIG. 12, the consumer container holding platform 550does not shift. However, a funnel or discharge capture unit 580 ispositioned under the dispenser 60. The cleaning fluid is dischargedthrough the dispenser 60 and into the funnel or discharge capture unit580 which enables the discharged cleaning fluid to be directed to theexit drain or discharge conduit 701.

The funnel or discharge capture unit 580 may be positively biased to theposition illustrated in FIG. 12 so that when the consumer container 575is removed, the funnel or discharge capture unit 580 automaticallyshifts outwardly.

It is noted that the funnel or discharge capture unit 580 may benormally in the back portion of consumer container holding platform 550so that when the consumer container 575 is removed, a sensor may sensethe absence of the consumer container 575, which causes the funnel ordischarge capture unit 580 to be driven outwardly.

As illustrated in FIG. 13, a blending system includes a blending chamber10 that receives the ingredients to be blended. The blending system alsoincludes a blending mechanism 50 that includes blades for blending and amotor to drive the blades.

The blending chamber 10 has, therein, a piston/plunger 20 that can movefrom one end of the blending chamber 10 to the other end. Thepiston/plunger 20 is driven by a shaft 30. The shaft 30 may be hollow toallow the introduction of ingredients or a cleaning fluid, such as waterinto the blending chamber 10. In the illustration of FIG. 13, the shaft30 is hollow to enable the introduction of a cleaning fluid, such aswater into the blending chamber 10. The cleaning fluid is introducedthrough fluid channel 40 and channel 70.

The shaft 30 and the piston/plunger 20 are driven by motor 200. Motor200 is controlled by control/power unit 100 through electricalconnection 110.

Control/power unit 100 also controls the speed and/or state of operation(ON/OFF) of the blending mechanism 50 through electrical connection 105.An exit drain 701 is included to dispose of any waste as well as anycleaning liquids.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 13, the blending system includes anice bin 400 for storing ice. Moreover, the blending system includes aningredient bin 300 for storing the blending ingredient(s). Theingredient(s) are transported to the blending chamber 10 throughconduit.

With respect to the ice, the ice is initially transferred to an iceweighing bin 96 where the ice's weight is measured by weighing unit 93.Upon receiving the appropriate weight of ice in the ice weighing bin 96,the ice bin 400 terminates any transferring of ice to the ice weighingbin 96, and a gate 94 is opened to transfer the ice to conduit 81 whichenables the ice to be introduced into the blending chamber 10. In thisexample, the ice is weighed/measured in a non-blending chamber orcontainer.

It is noted that the weighing unit 93 can provide the appropriatemeasurement data to the control/power unit 100 so that the ice can beproperly metered.

It is noted that the ingredient bin 300 may be compartmentalized tostore multiple ingredients. In addition, it is noted that the bin 400may store ice cream, soft serve ice cream, or other frozen products thatare utilized in making a frozen drink or frozen food item.

The blended ingredients are dispensed from the blending chamber 10through dispenser 60 into a consumer container 575 which rests uponconsumer container holding platform 550. It is noted that consumercontainer holding platform 550 may contain a drain (not shown) tocapture any waste or overflow from the dispensing process.

As noted above, a cylindrical vessel blends ingredients with a rotatingblade in a blending vessel or container and uses a piston/plunger toexert pressure upon the ingredients. This pressure prevents cavitationin the blade area and simultaneously prevents the upper levels ofingredients from rotating or swirling in unison with the rotatingblades.

At the end of this initial blend cycle, an exit valve, below the blades,opens and the piston pushes the partially blended ingredients, at acontrolled rate, past the rotating blade(s) creating consistent anduniform blend of ingredients that exit the valve and into a servingcontainer. After dispensing to a serving container, the vessel andpiston are self-clean by the clean in place process.

As noted above, the blending chamber or vessel has an exit valve locatedjust below the blades so that the exit valve dispenses the blended drinkinto a serving cup as opposed to the conventional removing of the vesseland pouring the contents out.

Moreover, the blending chamber or vessel is cleaned in place withoutbeing removed from the blending mechanism.

Although the above systems have been described with respect to a basedfrozen mixture (drink), the blending system can be utilized to dispenseboth soft serve ice cream and icy drinks, like a Slushy™, without theconstant freezing and unfreezing of the beverage in the constantlyrotating drum.

In the examples discussed above with respect to the blending ingredientsbeing stored within the blending system, the dispensing of theseingredients can be automated so that the dispensing is accurate.

It is noted that the piston/plunger may have a tight fit along thesidewalls of the blending chamber, but not airtight so that air isallowed to escape between the side of the piston/plunger and the wallsof the blending chamber.

It is further noted that the piston/plunger may have an air tight sealwith the sidewalls of the blending chamber. In this embodiment, theshaft of the piston/plunger may be hollow and may have an air valveconnected at its end. The air valve is opened during the decent of thepiston/plunger from the top of the blending chamber to the top surfaceof the blending ingredient mixture to prevent an “air lock.”

The air valve enables control of the speed of egress of the ingredientmixture. By slowing the speed of the piston/plunger, a finer iceparticle can be generated by just moving the piston/plunger slowly whilethe dispenser is opened and the air valve is closed. This situationcreates a vacuum to slow the speed of the dispensing.

Once the piston hits the top of the mixture, which can be sensed innumber of conventional ways, the air valve is closed. If the air valvewas not closed at this point, a small amount of ice or ingredient couldtraverse up the air tube that extends from the bottom of the piston tothe top of the piston shaft.

The piston/plunger puts pressure on the mixture during the blending toprevent a vortex with an air pocket from forming on the bottom, in otherwords, a cavitation caused by the rotating blades. The piston/plungermay also prevent the ice and ingredient mixture from rotating orswirling at the top levels of the mixture.

FIG. 15 illustrates another configuration of the blending chamber 10. Asillustrated in FIG. 15, the blending chamber 10 has an upper portion anda lower portion wherein the lower portion has a horizontal dimension Bwhich is less than a horizontal dimension A of the upper portion. Inother words, the blending chamber 10 is tapered outwardly to create awider upper portion. The wider upper portion allows the piston/plunger20 to physically disengage from the blending chamber so as not tointerfere/impact with the weighing process.

The tapering of the blending chamber 10 may be forty-five degrees. Inaddition, the horizontal dimension B of the lower portion may beapproximately 6.25 cm and the horizontal dimension A of the upperportion may be approximately 8.75 cm.

FIG. 16 illustrates a side view of the configuration of the blendingchamber 10, as illustrated in FIG. 15.

FIGS. 17-19 illustrate a container 3000 that can be utilized in theblending systems discussed above. As illustrated in FIG. 17, container3000 includes a rigid outer wall 3100 and an inner flexible bladder3200. The inner flexible bladder 3200 is connected to an outlet 3300.The rigid outer wall 3100 has a conduit 3400 connected thereto to allowthe introduction of a fluid, the fluid being either a gas or liquid,into the volume between the rigid outer wall 3100 and the inner flexiblebladder 3200. The inner flexible bladder 3200 contains a viscousmaterial.

As a fluid is introduced into the volume between the rigid outer wall3100 and the inner flexible bladder 3200, the pressure from the addedfluid causes the viscous material in the inner flexible bladder 3200 tomove out of the container 3000 through outlet 3300.

As the amount of fluid in the volume between the rigid outer wall 3100and the inner flexible bladder 3200 increases, the amount of viscousmaterial in the inner flexible bladder 3200 decreases, as illustrated inFIG. 18 wherein the reduced amount of viscous material 3210 is less thanthe originating amount in the flexible container 3200.

To provide a proper evacuation of the viscous material, the amount offluid in the volume between the rigid outer wall 3100 and the innerflexible bladder 3200 continues to increase, thereby reducing the amountof viscous material in the inner flexible bladder 3200, as illustratedin FIG. 19.

FIGS. 20-22 illustrate an alternative to the container 3000 of FIGS.17-19 that can be utilized in the blending systems discussed above.

FIG. 20 illustrates a container 4000 that includes a rigid outer wall4100 and an inner flexible bladder 4200. The rigid outer wall 4100 isconnected to an outlet 4300. The inner flexible bladder 4200 has aconduit 4400 connected thereto to allow the introduction of a fluid, thefluid being either a gas or liquid, into the volume of the innerflexible bladder 4200. The volume between the rigid outer wall 4100 andthe inner flexible bladder 4200 contains a viscous material.

As a fluid is introduced into the volume of the inner flexible bladder4200, the pressure from the added fluid causes the viscous material inthe volume between the rigid outer wall 4100 and the inner flexiblebladder 4200 to move out of the container 4000 through outlet 4300.

As the amount of fluid in the volume of the inner flexible bladder 4200increases, the amount of viscous material in the volume between therigid outer wall 4100 and the inner flexible bladder 4200 decreases, asillustrated in FIG. 21, wherein the reduced amount of viscous material4210 is less than the originating amount.

To provide a proper evacuation of the viscous material, the amount offluid in the volume of the inner flexible bladder 4200 continues toincrease, thereby reducing the amount of viscous material in the volumebetween the rigid outer wall 4100 and the inner flexible bladder 4200,as illustrated in FIG. 22.

FIGS. 23-25 illustrate a transport conduit 5000 that can be utilized inthe blending systems discussed above. As illustrated in FIG. 23, thetransport conduit 5000 includes a rigid outer wall 5100 and an innerflexible bladder 5200. The rigid outer wall 5100 is connected to a pinchvalve 5300. The inner flexible bladder 5200 has a conduit 5400 connectedthereto to allow the introduction of a fluid, the fluid being either agas or liquid, into the volume of the inner flexible bladder 5200. Thevolume between the rigid outer wall 5100 and the inner flexible bladder5200 allows the viscous material to flow therethrough.

As a fluid is introduced into the volume of the inner flexible bladder5200, the pressure from the added fluid causes the viscous material inthe volume between the rigid outer wall 5100 and the inner flexiblebladder 5200 to move out of the transport conduit 5000 through pinchvalve 5300.

As the amount of fluid in the volume of the inner flexible bladder 5200increases, the amount of viscous material in the volume between therigid outer wall 5100 and the inner flexible bladder 5200 decreases, asillustrated in FIG. 24 wherein the reduced amount of viscous material isless than the originating amount.

To provide a proper evacuation of the viscous material, the amount offluid in the volume of the inner flexible bladder 5200 continues toincrease, thereby reducing the amount of viscous material in thetransport conduit 5000, as illustrated in FIG. 25.

FIGS. 26-28 illustrate an alternative to the transport conduit 5000 ofFIGS. 23-25 that can be utilized in the blending systems discussedabove.

FIG. 26 illustrates a transport conduit 5000 that includes a rigid outerwall 5150 and an inner flexible bladder 5250. The inner flexible bladder5250 is connected to an outlet through pinch valve 5300. The rigid outerwall 5150 has a conduit 5400 connected thereto to allow the introductionof a fluid, the fluid being either a gas or liquid, into the volumebetween the rigid outer wall 5150 and the inner flexible bladder 5250.The inner flexible bladder 5250 transports a viscous material.

As a fluid is introduced into the volume between the rigid outer wall5150 and the inner flexible bladder 5250, the pressure from the addedfluid causes the viscous material in the inner flexible bladder 5250 tomove out of the transport conduit 5000.

As the amount of fluid in the volume between the rigid outer wall 5150and the inner flexible bladder 5250 increases, the amount of viscousmaterial in the inner flexible bladder 5250 decreases, as illustrated inFIG. 27, wherein the reduced amount of viscous material is less than theoriginating amount.

To provide a proper evacuation of the viscous material, the amount offluid in the volume between the rigid outer wall 5150 and the innerflexible bladder 5250 continues to increase, thereby reducing the amountof viscous material in the inner flexible bladder 5250, as illustratedin FIG. 28.

FIG. 29 illustrates a combined container/transport system 6000 that canbe utilized in the blending systems discussed above. As illustrated inFIG. 29, container 3000 includes a rigid outer wall 3100 and an innerflexible bladder 3200. The inner flexible bladder 3200 is connected to aone-way check valve 6100. It is noted that the one-way check valve 6100may also be a pinch valve.

The container/transport system 6000 further includes a transport conduitconstructed of a rigid outer wall 5100 and an inner flexible bladder5200. The rigid outer wall 5100 is connected to a pinch valve 5300. Theinner flexible bladder 5200 has a conduit 5400 connected thereto toallow the introduction of a fluid or gas into the volume of innerflexible bladder 5400.

The inner flexible bladder 3200 has a conduit 3400 connected thereto toallow the introduction of a fluid, the fluid being either a gas orliquid, into the volume of inner flexible bladder 3200. The flow offluid into the volume of inner flexible bladder 3200 is regulated by avalve 6200 which allows the fluid from source conduit 6300 to flow tothe inner flexible bladder 3200 or prevents the fluid from sourceconduit 6300 from flowing to the inner flexible bladder 3200. The volumebetween the rigid outer wall 3100 and the inner flexible bladder 3200contains a viscous material.

The fluid is introduced into the inner flexible bladder 3200 until anappropriate amount of viscous material passes through the one-way checkvalve 6100.

When the appropriate amount of viscous material passes through theone-way check valve 6100, the valve 6200 closes the flow of the fluidfrom source conduit 6300 to the inner flexible bladder 3200 andredirects the fluid from source conduit 6300 to the conduit 5400.

As the amount of fluid or gas in volume of inner flexible bladder 5400increases, the amount of viscous material in the transport conduitdecreases, thereby effectively evacuating the viscous material from thetransport conduit.

Once the transport conduit has been effectively evacuated of viscousmaterial, the valve 6200 allows the fluid in the inner flexible bladder5400 to escape or be released from the inner flexible bladder 5400 toprepare the inner flexible bladder 5400 for the next amount of viscousmaterial to be introduced for transport.

It is noted that the above described embodiment can be modified suchthat the volume causing the evacuation is the volume between the rigidouter wall and the inner flexible bladder.

It is further noted that the above described embodiment can be modifiedsuch that the volume causing the evacuation is not symmetrical in thecontainer and the transport conduit.

In summary, a transport conduit for transporting a viscous material,includes an outer rigid wall; an inner flexible bladder, a volumebetween the outer rigid wall and the inner flexible bladder containing aviscous material; and a conduit connected to the inner flexible bladderto introduce a fluid into the inner flexible bladder. The inner flexiblebladder increases in volume in response to introducing fluid thereinsuch that the volume between the outer rigid wall and the inner flexiblebladder decreases causing the viscous material to be evacuated from thetransport conduit.

A transport conduit for transporting a viscous material may include anouter rigid wall; an inner flexible bladder, the inner flexible bladdercontaining a viscous material; and a conduit connected to the outerrigid wall to introduce a fluid into a volume between the outer rigidwall and the inner flexible bladder. The volume between the outer rigidwall and the inner flexible bladder increases in response to introducinggas therein such that a volume of the inner flexible bladder decreasescausing the viscous material to be evacuated from the inner flexiblebladder.

A method of transporting a viscous material through a conduit having anouter rigid wall and an inner flexible bladder introduces a viscousmaterial into a volume between the outer rigid wall and the innerflexible bladder; and introduces fluid into the inner flexible bladdersuch that the volume between the outer rigid wall and the inner flexiblebladder decreases causing the viscous material to be evacuated from theconduit.

A method of transporting a viscous material through a conduit having anouter rigid wall and an inner flexible bladder may also introduce aviscous material into the inner flexible bladder a volume between theouter rigid wall and the inner flexible bladder; and introduce fluidinto a volume between the outer rigid wall and the inner flexiblebladder such that a volume of the inner flexible bladder decreasescausing the viscous material to be evacuated from the conduit.

A container for a viscous material, includes an outer rigid wall; aninner flexible bladder, a volume between the outer rigid wall and theinner flexible bladder containing a viscous material; and a conduitconnected to the inner flexible bladder to introduce a fluid into theinner flexible bladder. The inner flexible bladder increases in volumein response to introducing fluid therein such that the volume betweenthe outer rigid wall and the inner flexible bladder decreases causingthe viscous material to be evacuated from the container.

A container for a viscous material may also include an outer rigid wall;an inner flexible bladder, the inner flexible bladder containing aviscous material; and a conduit connected to the outer rigid wall tointroduce a fluid into a volume between the outer rigid wall and theinner flexible bladder. The volume between the outer rigid wall and theinner flexible bladder increases in response to introducing gas thereinsuch that a volume of the inner flexible bladder decreases causing theviscous material to be evacuated from the inner flexible bladder.

A container/transport system for a viscous material includes a containerfor the viscous material. The container includes an outer rigid wall; aninner flexible bladder, a volume between the outer rigid wall and theinner flexible bladder containing a viscous material; and a conduitconnected to the inner flexible bladder to introduce a fluid into theinner flexible bladder. The inner flexible bladder increases in volumein response to introducing fluid therein such that the volume betweenthe outer rigid wall and the inner flexible bladder decreases causingthe viscous material to be evacuated from the container. The system alsoincludes a transport conduit for transporting the viscous material,which includes an outer rigid wall, an inner flexible bladder, a volumebetween the outer rigid wall and the inner flexible bladder containing aviscous material, and a conduit connected to the inner flexible bladderto introduce a fluid into the inner flexible bladder, the inner flexiblebladder increasing in volume in response to introducing fluid thereinsuch that the volume between the outer rigid wall and the inner flexiblebladder decreases causing the viscous material to be evacuated from thetransport conduit. A valve controls a flow of fluid from a fluid sourceto either the inner flexible bladder of the container or the innerflexible bladder of the transport conduit.

A container/transport system for a viscous material may also include acontainer for the viscous material, the container including an outerrigid wall, an inner flexible bladder, the inner flexible bladdercontaining a viscous material, and a conduit connected to the outerrigid wall to introduce a fluid into a volume between the outer rigidwall and the inner flexible bladder, the volume between the outer rigidwall and the inner flexible bladder increasing in response tointroducing gas therein such that a volume of the inner flexible bladderdecreases causing the viscous material to be evacuated from the innerflexible bladder; a transport conduit for transporting the viscousmaterial, the transport conduit including an outer rigid wall, an innerflexible bladder, the inner flexible bladder containing a viscousmaterial, and a conduit connected to the outer rigid wall to introduce afluid into a volume between the outer rigid wall and the inner flexiblebladder, the volume between the outer rigid wall and the inner flexiblebladder increasing in response to introducing gas therein such that avolume of the inner flexible bladder decreases causing the viscousmaterial to be evacuated from the inner flexible bladder; and a valvefor controlling a flow of fluid from a fluid source to either the innerflexible bladder of the container or the inner flexible bladder of thetransport conduit.

A container/transport system for a viscous material may also include acontainer for the viscous material, the container including an outerrigid wall, an inner flexible bladder, a volume between the outer rigidwall and the inner flexible bladder containing a viscous material, and aconduit connected to the inner flexible bladder to introduce a fluidinto the inner flexible bladder, the inner flexible bladder increasingin volume in response to introducing fluid therein such that the volumebetween the outer rigid wall and the inner flexible bladder decreasescausing the viscous material to be evacuated from the container; atransport conduit for transporting the viscous material, the transportconduit including an outer rigid wall, an inner flexible bladder, theinner flexible bladder containing a viscous material, and a conduitconnected to the outer rigid wall to introduce a fluid into a volumebetween the outer rigid wall and the inner flexible bladder, the volumebetween the outer rigid wall and the inner flexible bladder increasingin response to introducing gas therein such that a volume of the innerflexible bladder decreases causing the viscous material to be evacuatedfrom the inner flexible bladder; and a valve for controlling a flow offluid from a fluid source to either the inner flexible bladder of thecontainer or the inner flexible bladder of the transport conduit.

A container/transport system for a viscous material may also include acontainer for the viscous material, the container including an outerrigid wall, an inner flexible bladder, the inner flexible bladdercontaining a viscous material, and a conduit connected to the outerrigid wall to introduce a fluid into a volume between the outer rigidwall and the inner flexible bladder, the volume between the outer rigidwall and the inner flexible bladder increasing in response tointroducing gas therein such that a volume of the inner flexible bladderdecreases causing the viscous material to be evacuated from the innerflexible bladder; a transport conduit for transporting the viscousmaterial, the transport conduit including an outer rigid wall, an innerflexible bladder, a volume between the outer rigid wall and the innerflexible bladder containing a viscous material, and a conduit connectedto the inner flexible bladder to introduce a fluid into the innerflexible bladder, the inner flexible bladder increasing in volume inresponse to introducing fluid therein such that the volume between theouter rigid wall and the inner flexible bladder decreases causing theviscous material to be evacuated from the transport conduit; and a valvefor controlling a flow of fluid from a fluid source to either the innerflexible bladder of the container or the inner flexible bladder of thetransport conduit.

A method of transporting a viscous material from a container having anouter rigid wall and an inner flexible bladder through a conduit havingan outer rigid wall and an inner flexible bladder, the inner flexiblebladder of the container having a viscous material introduces fluid intoa volume between the outer rigid wall of the container and the innerflexible bladder of the container such that a volume of the innerflexible bladder of the container decreases causing the viscous materialto be evacuated from the container; introduces fluid into the innerflexible bladder of the conduit such that the volume between the outerrigid wall of the conduit and the inner flexible bladder of the conduitdecreases causing the viscous material to be evacuated from the conduit;and releases the fluid from the inner flexible bladder of the conduitafter the viscous material has been evacuated from the conduit.

A method of transporting a viscous material from a container having anouter rigid wall and an inner flexible bladder through a conduit havingan outer rigid wall and an inner flexible bladder, the inner flexiblebladder of the container having a viscous material introduces fluid intoa volume between the outer rigid wall of the container and the innerflexible bladder of the container such that a volume of the innerflexible bladder of the container decreases causing the viscous materialto be evacuated from the container; introduces fluid into a volumebetween the outer rigid wall of the conduit and the inner flexiblebladder of the conduit such that a volume of the inner flexible bladderof the conduit decreases causing the viscous material to be evacuatedfrom the conduit; and releases the fluid from volume between the outerrigid wall of the conduit and the inner flexible bladder of the conduitafter the viscous material has been evacuated from the conduit.

A method of transporting a viscous material from a container having anouter rigid wall and an inner flexible bladder through a conduit havingan outer rigid wall and an inner flexible bladder, the inner flexiblebladder of the container having a viscous material introduces fluid intothe inner flexible bladder of the container such that a volume betweenthe outer rigid wall of the container and the inner flexible bladder ofthe container decreases causing the viscous material to be evacuatedfrom the container; introduces fluid into a volume between the outerrigid wall of the conduit and the inner flexible bladder of the conduitsuch that a volume of the inner flexible bladder of the conduitdecreases causing the viscous material to be evacuated from the conduit;and releases the fluid from volume between the outer rigid wall of theconduit and the inner flexible bladder of the conduit after the viscousmaterial has been evacuated from the conduit.

A method of transporting a viscous material from a container having anouter rigid wall and an inner flexible bladder through a conduit havingan outer rigid wall and an inner flexible bladder, the inner flexiblebladder of the container having a viscous material introduces fluid intothe inner flexible bladder of the container such that a volume betweenthe outer rigid wall of the container and the inner flexible bladder ofthe container decreases causing the viscous material to be evacuatedfrom the container; introduces fluid into the inner flexible bladder ofthe conduit such that the volume between the outer rigid wall of theconduit and the inner flexible bladder of the conduit decreases causingthe viscous material to be evacuated from the conduit; and releases thefluid from the inner flexible bladder of the conduit after the viscousmaterial has been evacuated from the conduit.

It will be appreciated that variations of the above-disclosedembodiments and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof,may be desirably combined into many other different systems orapplications. Also, various presently unforeseen or unanticipatedalternatives, modifications, variations or improvements therein may besubsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended tobe encompassed by the description above and the following claims.

1. A transport conduit for transporting a viscous material, comprising:an outer rigid wall; an inner flexible bladder, a volume between saidouter rigid wall and said inner flexible bladder containing a viscousmaterial; and a conduit connected to said inner flexible bladder tointroduce a fluid into said inner flexible bladder; said inner flexiblebladder increasing in volume in response to introducing fluid thereinsuch that the volume between said outer rigid wall and said innerflexible bladder decreases causing the viscous material to be evacuatedfrom the transport conduit.
 2. The transport conduit as claimed in claim1, wherein the fluid is a gas.
 3. The transport conduit as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the fluid is a liquid.
 4. A transport conduit fortransporting a viscous material, comprising: an outer rigid wall; aninner flexible bladder, said inner flexible bladder containing a viscousmaterial; and a conduit connected to said outer rigid wall to introducea fluid into a volume between said outer rigid wall and said innerflexible bladder; said volume between said outer rigid wall and saidinner flexible bladder increasing in response to introducing gas thereinsuch that a volume of said inner flexible bladder decreases causing theviscous material to be evacuated from said inner flexible bladder. 5.The transport conduit as claimed in claim 4, wherein the fluid is a gas.6. The transport conduit as claimed in claim 4, wherein the fluid is aliquid. 7-42. (canceled)